To director Ali LeRoi, the characters and cast abilities to portray interesting dynamics make a great film in EPIX’s American Refugee.

In the film, the characters must use their survivalist instincts not only to survive the dangers of the outside world but also amongst themselves. With a proper cast, LeRoi achieved the instinctual reactions and interactions between two very highly different families in a bunker while the country descends into chaos.

The cast includes Erika Alexander, Derek Luke, Sam Trammell, Zamani Wilder, Jessi Case, Vince Mattis, Charity Jordan, and Peyton Jackson. Ali LeRoi directed the movie from the script written by Allison Buckmelter and Nicolas Buckmelter.

Here is the official synopsis:

A family seeks shelter in a neighbor’s bunker, while the American economy is in collapse and the nation is under martial law. There, they find the danger inside is potentially greater than the danger outside.

ALSO CHECK OUT: Erika Alexander and Derek Luke on Survivalism in EPIX’s American Refugee [Exclusive Interview]

LRM Online’s Gig Patta chatted with director Ali LeRoi on the characters, cast, and filming scenes in a tight-spaced bunker.

Ali LeRoi was a co-creator of the American sitcom Everybody Hates Chris based on the comedian Chris Rock, in which he wrote and directed several episodes of the series. Then he went on to create another comedy sitcom with Are We There Yet? His television direction also landed him at the helm for a few episodes for the television series Survivor’s Remorse, Turner & Hooch, and The Last O.G. In 2019, he made his feature film debut with The Obituary of Tunde Johnson that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

American Refugee is currently playing on EPIX and is available for digital purchase via Paramount Home Entertainment.

Watch the exclusive interview with Ali LeRoi below. Let us know what you think of the interview.

Source: LRM Online Exclusive, EPIX